stigweard, while the main points of your post bear some merit, let me make a couple of observations. First, I did not take this personally. As I pointed out, I am making a point about the need of certain posters to take any shot at the US that they can. These self same posters take umbrage at the painting with a broad brush of the UK. When the predictable response happened, I merely made the point. The line that referred to "this so-called "civilised" nation" is what caused the problem. If this is the criteria that calls into question our being civilized, then I suspect that most of the "civilized" nations have no place up on that high horse. This thread was one thing, started under the guise of another. Fortunately, it has evolved into a decent discussion of a practice that needs to be done away, and the sooner the better.

With regard to me being a bully, this is the same poster who sees beheading coming as capital punishment so that some group of international businessmen can begin harvesting our organs for sale, under the pretext of the crap she calls her political views on the internet. She is twisted, has never seen a conspiracy she doesn't like, and a bitter person. She has been bullying anyone who doesn't subscribe to her ravings for years. Each time I call her on this, she immediately starts with nasty rhetoric, usually foul, and belittling me, and anyone who supports me, no matter how little. Then she starts her goofball rants. The problem will be resolved soon, so I don't respond much to her.

With regard to human rights record, this Administration has set back human rights more than any in recent history, aided by the current Administration of the United Kingdom. In the alliance with the UK government they had an experienced partner, given all the practice they have had in oppressing the Catholic population of the North of Ireland. The decent people of the UK, as well as the decent people of the United States, will be years undoing the damage. But make no mistake, it won't be some pompous, self deluded, "I got all the answers and the rest of you are stupid for not seeing it", phony liberal radical on the internet that does the work. It will have to be average folks, struggling to raise families and give them a decent lifestyle, that will bring the needed changes. Until they feel the problem, changes won't come. And they won't come in a flash, but a step at a time.

OK, let's give the stage back to the comedy act. Warning: some of the language in the next act may not be suitable for easily offended ears. I guess I will go back to bullying the masses.

Mick